ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon
The southwest Monsoon advances further into some parts of Maldives-Comorin area, some more parts of south Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of Andaman Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department:
Advance of Southwest Monsoon
- With the strengthening of westerlies and increase in convective clouds, the southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some parts of Maldives-Comorin area, some more parts of south Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of Andaman Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- The Northern Limit of Monsoon  now passes through Lat.5°N/Long.72°E, Lat.6°N/Long.79°E, Lat.8°N/Long.86°E, Lat.11°N/Long.90°E, Lat.14°N/Long.93°E and Lat.16°N/Long.95°E.
Further advance of Monsoon during next 5 days
- Conditions are becoming favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Maldives-Comorin area during next 48 hours.
- A Low Pressure Area is likely to form over southeast & adjoining eastcentral Arabian Sea during 31st May to 4th June, 2020. In view of this, conditions are very likely to become favourable from 1st June 2020 for onset of southwest Monsoon over Kerala.
Low Pressure Area over westcentral Arabian Sea
- A low pressure area has formed over westcentral Arabian Sea. It is very likely to concentrate into a Depression over the same region during next 48 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards towards south Oman & east Yemen coast during next 3 days.
Fisherman warning
- Fishermen are advised not to venture into westcentral Arabian Sea during 29th May, 2020 to 1st June, 2020.
- Fishermen are also advised not to venture into southeast & eastcentral Arabian Sea during 31st May, 2020 to 4th June, 2020.
Meanwhile,
♦ Under the influence of a Western Disturbance and an east-west trough in lower tropospheric levels, rain/thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, hail & squall at isolated places very likely over Western Himalaya Region & adjoining plains during 28th-30th May,.2020.
As a result, maximum temperatures over plains of north India and central & west India very likely to fall by 3-4°C during next 3-4 days. Hence the prevailing heat wave conditions are very likely to occur at isolated pockets of northwest & central India on today and abate thereafter.
♦ Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Tripura and Mizoram during next 24hours and Heavy rainfall over Assam & Meghalaya. Heavy rainfall at isolated places over parts of south peninsular India during 28th-31st May, 2020 with isolated Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall over Kerala and Lakshadweep during 30th-31st May 2020.
For more details kindly visit www.imd.gov.in
Prime Minister's Office
PM's departure statement ahead of his visit to Bangladesh
I will be visiting Bangladesh on 26-27 March 2021, at the invitation of Her Excellency Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties.
I look forward to my participation at the National Day celebrations tomorrow, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last Century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions. I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory.
I also look forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition.
I am particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri SriHarichandra Thakur ji disseminated his pious message.
I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with His Excellency President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries.
My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, but also to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements. I will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against COVID-19.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Cooperation  between India and the Japan in the field of Healthcare and Wellness
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has given its ex-post facto approval to the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation  between India and the Kanagawa Prefectural Government of Japan in the field of Healthcare and Wellness.
Implementation strategy and targets:
Theactivities between the two sides will start after the receipt of copy of the signed MoC. The initiatives taken between the two countries will be as per the terms of reference of the MoC signed and will be a continuing process till the MoC remains in operation.
Major impact:
The MoC, will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of Traditional Systems of Medicine. This will be of immense importance to both countries.
Expenditure involved:
There are no additional financial implications involved. The financial resources necessary to conduct research, training courses, conferences/ meetings and deputations of experts will be met from the existing allocated budget and existing plan schemes of Ministry of AYUSH.
Background:
India is blessed with well-developed systems of Traditional Medicine, which holds tremendous potential in the global health scenario. The Ministry of AYUSH of the Republic of India having the mandate to promote, propagate and globalize these Traditional Systems has taken effective steps by entering into MoU with 14 countries for Cooperation in the field of Traditional Medicine.
The bilateral relations between India and Japan have a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilizational ties. The political, economic, scientific and cultural interaction between India and Japan has been substantial. Having a background of strong traditional medicine,there is a growing interest towards Ayurveda and Yoga in Japan.
Ministry of Steel
Steel Minister Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh met with Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in Ahemdabad; Discussed Expansion of Steel Sector
Union Minister of Steel, Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh met with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in Ahemdabad today.
Praising Gujarat's efforts, the Minister said that Gujarat is a model for the country in the field of agriculture and cooperative sector. He said Gujarat has not only implemented Central schemes fully but also started new schemes for the benefit of the agriculture sector. They have discussed expansion of steel sector in State of Gujarat.
Union Minister for steel also expressed his admiration and immense satisfaction with the Gujarat government dashboard that he had the privilege of observing along with his ministry officials. He said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s passion, commitment and contribution to nation building and the processes and systems required for the same is seen in this pioneering dashboard.
Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel expressed happiness over the visit of Steel Minister and organising Consultative Committee meeting on ‘Steel Usage’ in Kevadiya yesterday.
Chief Minister discussed about the two major events which are scheduled to be organized by Govt of Gujarat to promote the investment, ie., Vibrant Gujarat and Defense Expo. Union Steel Minister assured active participation of Steel ministry in both the events.
During this meeting Senior officials of Steel Ministry, Chairman SAIL, CMD, NMDC and RINL along with Gujarat Govt officials were also present.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President emphasises on technology as a game changer for good health and happiness
Growth of health infrastructure touches the lives of fiscally vulnerable, says the Vice President
Vice President addresses the 2nd International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment
, 2023. Describing technology as a game changer for good health and happiness, Shri Dhankhar noted that India has set an example in the world where technology is being used to provide efficient services to the people.
The Vice President lauded ISHTA’s objective of ensuring ‘Availability, Affordability and Accessibility’ of quality healthcare to all. He commended Ayushman Bharat as the ‘world's largest, highly transparent and impactful mechanism’, which has enabled the creation of health infrastructure and institutions that ease the lives of the ‘fiscally vulnerable’. Shri Dhankhar also made note of other initiatives such as Jan Aushadhi Kendras, e-Sanjeevani and Swachh Bharat Mission which have contributed immensely towards securing good health of people at large.
Underlining India’s successful handling of the COVID pandemic, Vice President Dhankhar drew attention to India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative. This, he said, is in spirit of India’s age-old ethos of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbukam’, which sees the world as a family. He urged all stakeholders and global leaders to come together with the same belief and conviction to help secure a world order of health and happiness.
ISHTA-2023 was organised by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with World Health Organisation  and Centre for Global Development. The symposium also hosted a Market Place that showcased the prominent HTA recommendations that have been implemented by the State and the Central Government.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. V K Paul, Member , NITI Aayog, Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, Secretary to Vice-President of India, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr Roderico Ofrin, World Health Organization Representative to India and representatives from 23 countries were among the dignitaries present at the event.
Following is the text of the Vice President’s speech:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1905543
Ministry of Power
GRAM UJALA expands its footprint; Launched in Varanasi today
Crosses 6,150 distribution mark in Arrah, Bihar in 2 days, says Power Minister
1 crore 50 lakh LED bulbs will be distributed in phase 1 resulting in energy savings of 2025 million KWh/year and CO2 reductions of 1.65 million T CO2/year
Shri R.K. Singh, the Union Minister of State  for Power & New and Renewable Energy, launched the GRAM UJALA programme today in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Under this program Convergence Energy Services Limited , a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited , will distribute high quality LED bulbs, at an affordable cost of 10 rupees per bulb in rural areas of Varanasi. The launch programme was attended by Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power and other dignitaries. Under phase 1 of GRAM UJALA programme 1 crore 50 lakh LED bulbs will be distributed which will have a significant impact on India’s climate change action energy savings of 2025 million kWh/year and CO2 reductions of 1.65 million T CO2/year. The programme will enable better illumination, at an affordable price of INR 10/bulb. This will usher in a better standard of life, financial savings, more economic activity, and better safety for rural citizens.
Minister of State for Power & New and Renewable Energy Shri R K Singh congratulated CESL for its new initiative under which it will provide affordable and high-quality LEDs to the rural population. He also appreciated Uttar Pradesh government for electrification of every village in the state in nearly four years after signing the ambitious ‘Power for All’ agreement with the Centre.
Power Minister said that India is leading in energy transition as well as energy efficiency. This scheme is designed specifically for rural homes keeping affordability in mind and it will also result in energy savings as a 12 Watt LED bulb gives equivalent light as of 100 watt incandescent bulb.
Power Minister further lauded EESL’s efforts in implementing UJALA scheme under which 36 crores LED bulbs have been distributed and 1 crore 15 lakh street lights have been replaced with LED lights across the country resulting in energy savings of thousands of megawatts. Now the GRAM UJALA scheme is being launched for rural households where LED bulbs will be distributed at an affordable price of INR 10/bulb. The scheme has crossed 6,150 distribution mark in Arrah, Bihar within 2 days of launch.
Under the programme, 7 watt and 12-Watt LED bulbs with 3 years warranty will be given to rural consumers against submission of working incandescent bulbs. The GRAM UJALA programme will be implemented only in villages of the 5 districts where consumers can exchange a maximum of 5 LED bulbs. These rural households will also have meters installed in their houses to monitor numbers of hours of usage. Carbon credits will be prepared under the Shine Program of Activities with an option for verifying under the Voluntary Carbon Standard, depending on the needs of buyers.
Special Service and Features
Gold worth Rs. 28 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs. One arrested.
Based on suspicion, one Elangovan Panchanathan, 46,ofPuducherry, who arrived from Dubai by Emirates flight EK-544was intercepted at exit on suspicion of carrying gold. Onpersonal search, three bundles of gold paste weighing 668 grams were recovered from rectum. On extraction 578 grams of gold valued at Rs. 28 lakhs was recovered and seized under customs Act. He was arrested.
578 grams of gold worth Rs. 28 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act. One arrested.
Further investigation is under progress.
This is stated in a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Green Express Ways
The Government of India approved Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I in October, 2017 with an aggregate length of about 34,800 km  at an estimated outlay of Rs. 5,35,000.00 crores which also included about 800 km length of expressways. Development of road stretches is taken up post finalisation of alignment , cost estimates, land acquisition requirement etc. based on outcome of Detailed Project Report / Feasibility Study with due consideration to traffic density, up-gradation requirements, Right of Way  determination, project viability, inter-se-priority and availability of funds. Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I is targeted for completion in 2021-22.
This information was given by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI to undertake Rating of Concessionaires, Contractors and Consultants
To establish a transparent and comprehensive ‘Performance Rating’ System for its Consultants, Contractors and Concessionaires, NHAI has developed a ‘Vendor Performance Evaluation System’. According a statement by NHAI, the portal based objective assessment of vendors’ has been initiated to track the performance of the vendors for various NHAI projects.
The Portal is available on the NHAI website under ‘Vendor Performance Evaluation System’. Under this portal, NHAI has said, the vendors are required to conduct a self-assessment and upload the documents related to the project activities being executed by them, on the portal. The submissions are reviewed at multiple levels by NHAI, based on which a vendor's rating is generated.
The portal contains provision for rating the projects according to the mode of implementation and status of completion under BOT , BOT , HAM, EPC works and for Authority’s Engineer, Independent Engineer and DPR Consultants. To ensure that the evaluation is done in the most objective and balanced way, the vendor rating generated post multi-level reviews, shall be shared with the vendor. The vendor will also be given an opportunity to appeal against the generated rating.
As on date, vendors have filled data for 853 projects  which are under review at different stages. The vendors who fail to upload the requisite documents on the portal shall not be allowed to participate in the bids of NHAI.
"Suitable amendments in bidding documents are being incorporated to make rating of vendors as one of the qualification criteria for awarding new projects," NHAI statement said. This rating system will increase the accountability of vendors thereby improving the quality of highways.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 586
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 210.79 Crore
More than 19 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 210 Crore  landmark milestone today. More than 19 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10413778
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10104086
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6683470
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18434035
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17694207
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13003761
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
40101351
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
29797817
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61598187
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
52111626
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
560383340
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
512330653
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
54426957
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203864932
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
196144501
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
31465104
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127556583
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
122596725
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
39221534
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1022352206
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
940779615
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
144800826
|
|
Total
|
|
2107932647
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 24th August, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
56
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
444
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
10138
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
85
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
746
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
23295
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
32776
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
61198
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10858
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
30574
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
25264
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
102658
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
934507
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
4768
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
24473
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
448944
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3065
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
15664
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
183792
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
76872
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
235757
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1600676
|
|
Total
|
|
1913305
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
|
|
- 212.17 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- 26,36,224 doses administered in last 24 hours
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 65,732
- Active cases stand at 0.15%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.66%
- 22,031 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,38,25,024
- 5,439 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 88.55 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,20,418 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Make In India Scheme
Targets for production of indigenous defence equipment are decided based on requirements of the Armed Forces. Procurement of defence equipment is undertaken from various domestic as well as foreign vendors, based on threat perception, operational challenges and technological changes and to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.
‘Make in India’ is implemented in defence sector through various policy initiatives which promotes indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence items. As per Defence Procurement Procedure , priority has been accorded to capital acquisition from ‘Buy ’, ‘Buy ’, ‘Buy and Make ’, ‘Buy and Make’ ‘Strategic Partnership Model’ or ‘Make’ categories over Buy  category. In the last six financial years i.e. from 2014-15 to 2019-2020 , Government has accorded Acceptance of Necessity  to 226 Defence proposals, worth Rs. 4,15,006 Crore approximately, under the various categories of Capital Acquisition, which promotes domestic manufacturing as per Defence Procurement Procedure .
Many significant defence equipment including 155mm Artillery Gun system ‘Dhanush’, Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, ‘Akash’ Surface to Air Missile system, Attack Submarine ‘INS Kalvari’, ‘INS Chennai’ etc, have been produced in the country under ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government. The details of procurement of defence equipment in the last three years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20 is given in the table below: -

|
|
Year
|
|
Capital & Revenue Expenditure from Indian Sources

|
|
2017-18
|
|
54951.38
|
|
2018-19
|
|
50507.65
|
|
2019-20
|
|
63784.75
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Smt SarmisthaSethiin Lok Sabha today.
ABB/Nampi/Rajib/SK
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President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF EID-UL-FITR
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu has greeted fellow citizens on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.
In her message the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all citizens living in India and abroad, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This festival spreads the feelings of love, compassion and affection. Eid gives us the message of solidarity and mutual harmony. This festival is imbued with the spirit of harmony and inspires us to build a peaceful and prosperous society.
On this occasion, let take a pledge to promote feelings of brotherhood and harmony in the society”.
Please click here to see the President's Speech -